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Dynamic Duo: Katie Kelly and guide Michellie Jones win gold in Rio

Roar Rookie
14th September, 2016
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The Para-triathlon event has only just begun at the Rio Paralympics, with this event being held for the first time at the Paralympic Games.

What better way to celebrate then have our own Katie Kelly and guide Michellie Jones winning the gold medal in the PT5 classification.

The PT5 classification is one of five different classifications for the Para-triathlon event, specifying athletes with visual impairments resulting in each athlete having a sighted guide of the same nationality and gender.

Kelly, who is legally blind due to her disease known as Usher Syndrome, is now the first Australian athlete to medal in the Para-triathlon event and will go down in the history books.

After being declared as legally blind, Kelly then kicked off her outstanding triathlon career along with the help of her coach and Australian Paralympic team head coach, Corey Bacon.

Usher Syndrome is an extremely rare genetic disorder caused by a mutation in one of at least 11 genes at to this day is incurable. Being diagnosed with this illness since she was mid-20’s, this win has made it more historical for Kelly.

Along side Kelly, is Olympic medal winner Michellie Jones. Jones is the first Australian to win an Olympic triathlon medal but has since become the guide for Kelly at the first Para-triathlon Jones is now the first Australian to win medals at both Olympic and Paralympic Games

After the event Kelly told the APC media how static she was to win gold after being troubled with injury in the build up to these Rio Games.

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“I was saying to Michellie that it’s something that you wish for, but these triathlon competitions I never take it for granted and it’s hard work out there. You can’t underestimate how hard it is to get there,” Kelly told APC Media.

“So when Michellie said, ‘KK, we’re going to get on that blue carpet (finish line) – you can enjoy it,’ I thought ‘No, I’m going to get to the finish line first’.

“I’m just really honored and chuffed, and to do that in Para-triathlon here in Rio is a really special moment.”

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